Almost everyone reading this knows someone, be they a member of their family or friend who has suffered from a heart attack or a stroke. Together, they cause high incidence of death around the world. The first half of this page is going to address heart attacks, while the other half will address strokes.

What Is A Heart Attack?

A heart attack (also called a myocardial infarction)  is a condition that affects the cardiovascular system. Heart attacks occur when the blood supply to a portion of the heart muscle (myocardium) is severely reduced or stopped. This occurs when one of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle (coronary arteries) is blocked by an obstruction. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart stops, that portion will no longer receive the oxygen or nutrients necessary to carry out its function and will die. If a very small part of the heart is affected, the heart will be able to continue working without it. However, if a large enough portion is damaged, irreversible damage can result, leading to death.

What Causes A Heart Attack?

• Cholesterol (fat) deposition in the artery  wall leaves less room for the blood to flow through the channel in the middle. Furthermore, it leads to inflammation which may eat away at the cells lining the artery. Thus, the contents of the plaque may be exposed to the bloodstream. When a substance other than what is supposed to is sensed within the bloodstream, the body’s natural reaction is to build a clot around it to keep it from doing damage. If the clot grows too large, the artery is occluded and a heart attack results. See Diagram Below:

The diagram above is a microscopic picture of a normal blood vessel.

The diagram below shows microscopically  how a blood vessel looks like after formation of plaque (cholesterol).

• Smoking is a major risk factor. Smokers are more likely to get a heart attack than non-smokers. The effects smoking has on your bodies are:

1. Damages the lining to the arteries.

2. Promote the clotting of blood.

3. Lowers the level of "good" cholesterol in the blood.

• Family History: If your parents, grandparents, or other close relatives have suffered heart attacks in the past, this increases your chances of having a heart attack.

• Male: Males are more likely to have heart attacks at a younger age than females. However, once women reach menopause, their chances of having a heart attack equal that of men.

• Age: As we get older, our risk of having a heart attack grows.
   

• An occasional heart attack is caused as the result of an "embolus". This is a blood clot which is formed elsewhere and then travels to the heart.  An example of this cause has recently in the news, received a lot of publicity. DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) or commonly known as "economy class syndrome".

Tell Me More About Cholesterol Please!

• Cholesterol is a type of fat, one which is very important for life. It is a vital building block of many substances including the cell membrane of every cell in our body, digestive "bile" released by the gall bladder, the "sex hormones", Vitamin D (associated with calcium metabolism) and other important substances.
• It is a waxy sort of substance when cooled. About one tablespoon circulates in the bloodstream at any one time. There are actually multiple types of molecules which make up the "total cholesterol" commonly measured.
• Cholesterol is not all bad. We have to have some cholesterol, but the liver can make as much as we need. If the level is too high, it can be deposited in tissues, specifically the arteries, causing them to narrow and not carry enough blood to vital organs such as the brain or the heart. It can also weaken the artery, causing it to enlarge and produce an aneurysm. This process is termed "arteriosclerosis", and abnormal blood lipids (fats) including cholesterol are very important in its formation.
• Cholesterol is present in the foods we eat and our liver produces our own supply of cholesterol as well. The liver is primarily responsible not only for the manufacture of cholesterol, but regulating the proteins ("lipoproteins") which carry it.
• It is tempting to think that cholesterol is a material which kind of "filters out" into the walls of the blood vessels, and the higher the amount of cholesterol in the blood, the more that will be deposited in the arteries. It is quite a bit more complicated than that. Depositing cholesterol in the walls also has to do with factors that injure the lining of the blood vessels, such as smoking with its many potent toxins such as carbon monoxide. Other stresses, such as high blood pressure likewise can disrupt the normal function and structure of the vessels, allowing the build-up of blockages primarily composed of cholesterol.
• There are different types of cholesterol. Cholesterol itself cannot dissolve in the bloodstream, and needs proteins to "carry" it around. "Bad" cholesterol is that which is carried on a molecule called "LDL" (for "low-density lipoprotein"), and which has the tendency to release cholesterol into the tissues, including the vessel walls. A smaller molecule, "HDL" (for "high-density lipoprotein") is also called "good" cholesterol because it can bring cholesterol back from the tissues to the liver. The higher the level of HDL and the lower the level of LDL, the less likely it is someone will develop blockages (no levels guarantee it, though!).

What Are The Symptoms Of A Heart Attack?

Heart attack victims may complain of:

• chest pressure

• sweating

• jaw pain

• heartburn and/or indigestion

• arm pain (more commonly the left arm, but may be either)

• upper back pain

• general malaise (vague feeling of illness)

• nausea

• shortness of breath

Can Heart Attacks Be Prevented?

The best way to prevent stroke is to reduce your risk factors and take control of your own health:

Quit Smoking: The nicotine in cigarette smoke causes blood vessels to narrow. This can greatly increase the chances of having a heart attack. If you area non-smoker, stay that way.

Diet: A diet high in fat and cholesterol can not only add on those unsightly pounds, but can contribute to atherosclerosis. Increasing your fibre intake (fruits, vegetables, grains) and decreasing your fat intake (chips, chocolate, pizza,... basically all the good stuff!) can help prolong your life.

High blood pressure (hypertension): Hypertension can lead to blood vessel damage because the heart has to work harder to pump the blood through narrowed or hardened vessels affected by atherosclerosis. This blood vessel damage can lead to the formation of blood clots inside the blood vessels, which can cause heart attacks.

Limited physical activity: Regular physical activity is the best way to hold onto your youth. Whether you play a team sport, join a dance class, or walk the dog, any kind of physical activity is beneficial. So stay young, have fun, and exercise! Click Here To Learn More On Exercise.

Obesity: Obesity can result from the combination of limited physical activity and a diet high in fat.

Stress: Almost everyone deals with stress everyday, whether it is in school, the workplace, or at home. The trick is to learn how to deal with it. Regular physical activity is a great way to relieve stress. Other ways include; relaxation techniques, a warm bath, and soothing music. Find a method that works for you and stick with it. Remember, it's for your health!

STROKES

 
What is A Stroke?

Stroke is a cardiovascular disease. It affects the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that brings oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is clogged by a blood clot or some other particle. Because of this rupture or blockage, part of the brain doesn't get the blood and oxygen it needs. Deprived of oxygen, nerve cells in the affected area of the brain can't work and die within minutes. And when nerve cells can't work, the part of the body they control can't work either. The devastating effects of stroke are often permanent because dead brain cells are not replaced.

There are four main types of stroke. Two are caused by blood clots or other particles, and two by bleeding (haemorrhage)  Cerebral thrombosis  and cerebral embolism  are caused by clots or particles that plug an artery. These strokes account for about 70-80 percent of all strokes. Ruptured blood vessels cause cerebral and subarachnoid  haemorrhages. These (bleeding) strokes have a much higher fatality rate than strokes caused by clots.

What is a cerebral thrombosis?

Cerebral thrombosis is the most common stroke. It occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms and blocks blood flow in an artery bringing blood to part of the brain. Blood clots usually form in arteries damaged by fatty build ups, called atherosclerosis. Cerebral thrombotic strokes often occur at night or first thing in the morning.

What is a cerebral embolism?

This type of stroke occurs when a wandering clot (an embolus) or some other particle forms away from the brain, usually in the heart. The clot is carried by the bloodstream until it lodges in an artery leading to or in the brain, blocking the flow of blood. The most common cause of these emboli is blood clots that form during atrial fibrillation. This is a disorder found in a lot of people. In atrial fibrillation the heart's two small upper chambers (the atria) quiver instead of beating effectively. Some blood isn't pumped completely out of them when the heart beats, so it pools and clots. When a blood clot enters the circulation and lodges in a narrowed artery of the brain, a stroke occurs.

What is a haemorrhage?

A subarachnoid haemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel on the brain's surface ruptures and bleeds into the space between the brain and the skull (but not into the brain itself). Another type of stroke occurs when a defective artery in the brain bursts, flooding the surrounding tissue with blood. This is a cerebral haemorrhage. Haemorrhage (or bleeding) from an artery in the brain can be caused by a head injury or a burst aneurysm. Aneurysms are blood-filled pouches that balloon out from weak spots in the artery wall. They're often caused or made worse by high blood pressure. Aneurysms aren't always dangerous, but if one bursts in the brain, they cause a hemorrhagic stroke. When a cerebral or subarachnoid haemorrhage occurs, the loss of a constant blood supply means some brain cells no longer can work. Accumulated blood from the burst artery also may put pressure on surrounding brain tissue and interfere with how the brain works. Severe or mild symptoms can result, depending on the amount of pressure. The amount of bleeding determines the severity of cerebral haemorrhages. In many cases, people with cerebral haemorrhages die of increased pressure on their brains. But those who live tend to recover much more than people who've had strokes caused by a clot. That's because when a blood vessel is blocked, part of the brain dies -- and the brain doesn't regenerate. But when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, pressure from the blood compresses part of the brain. If the person survives, gradually the pressure goes away. Then the brain may regain some of its former function.
 

What Are The Symptoms Of Stroke?

Stroke should be regarded as a medical emergency requiring urgent medical attention.

Stroke victims may complain of:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

• Sudden trouble walking, with dizziness, loss of balance or co-ordination.

• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

Who Is At Risk?

• If one has high blood pressure (Hypertension) - High blood pressure has no warning signs, so regular blood pressure checks are important. The condition can be easily and successfully controlled with medication.

• If one has a history of heart disease - Certain disorders of the heart and/or blood vessels, such as atherosclerosis and atrial fibrillation , can produce blood clots that may break loose and travel to the brain.

• If one had a Previous stroke / TIA - Someone who has had a stroke has a slightly increased risk for another.

• If one is a smoker - Cigarette smoking has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, artery disease in the legs, and lung cancer. Nicotine raises blood pressure, carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen the blood can carry to the brain, and cigarette smoke makes the blood thicker and more likely to clot. It is never too late to give up smoking.

• If one is Obese - Being overweight increases your risk of having a stroke, along with other health problems

• If one has high cholesterol levels - Studies have shown that lowering cholesterol levels can reduce the risk of stroke by as much as 30%. Keeping cholesterol low can reduce the risk of blood clots and build-up within the walls of an artery in the brain.

• Drinking large amounts of alcohol - Frequent intoxication can make a person more likely to experience bleeding in the brain. Also, alcohol in large amounts can raise blood pressure.

• Age - The older a person gets, the greater the risk of stroke.

• Sex - Men are more likely to have a stroke than women are.

• Race - Blacks have a greater risk of stroke than whites do.

• Diabetes- People with diabetes mellitus are more at risk.

• Lack of exercise - Moderate exercise can help keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels within normal ranges.

• Poor diet- A diet high in fat can cause conditions within the body that can contribute to a stroke.
   

Can Strokes Be Prevented?

The best way to prevent stroke is to reduce your risk factors and take control of your own health:

• Lower your cholesterol level if it is elevated - some people can do this by modifying diet; others need to take medication.

• If you smoke, stop smoking - Many excellent smoking cessation programs are available today; your doctor can advise you about tools you can use, such as the nicotine patch.

• Drink alcohol in moderation - A drink or two a day is considered acceptable.

• Keep your weight within normal limits.

• Get a moderate amount of exercise at least five days a week.

• Eat a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in fats.

• If you have cardiovascular disease , work with your doctor to treat it. Certain types of problems with the heart and blood vessels, such as atherosclerosis and atrial fibrillation can cause blood clots to form. These clots can block an artery in the brain and cause a stroke (or can block a blood vessel in the heart and cause a heart attack).

• If you have diabetes, keep it under good control.

• If you have high blood pressure be sure to take your medication regularly.

• Know the warning signs of strokes, and get help right away if you experience them.